AN animal charity on the Lizard peninsula is mourning the loss of one of its most-loved residents, a miniature Shetland pony called Tiny Tim.

Tiny Tim was a firm favourite with staff, volunteers and visitors to Bolenowe Animal Sanctuary, near Ruan Minor, for ten years – virtually his entire life.

“He’ll be really missed around the farm,” said a sanctuary spokesman.

“Despite his troubles, he was a great character and everyone – everyone – loved him.

“A huge number of people chose him as one of their 'adopted' animals.

"You can imagine how heart-broken his special carers are who tended him every day.

“It’s a sad time for everyone. He’ll be much missed.”

He was taken in by the charity as an even tinier foal suffering from a chronic medical problem that affected all four of his legs and made it impossible for him to live without dedicated daily care, medication and even special horse-shoes.

Sadly, his health problems worsened with age and finally became too much.

But Tiny Tim certainly won’t be forgotten.

The charity’s trustees plan to launch a Tiny Tim Fund in his memory to be used exclusively for the direct benefit of the sanctuary’s animals, so that he will leave a lasting legacy of help for his fellow residents.

Bolenowe exists to provide care and protection for neglected or vulnerable animals, mainly horses and ponies, and also schools and trains suitable ponies to allow them to go to live with loving families.

It can be contacted by email at admin@bolenowe.co.uk, and will be open to the public on Sundays from June this year.